Grassroots organization claims success in bid to overturn Bloomington Annexation
County Residents Against Annexation (CRAA), an organization formed in response to the proposed annexation of nearly 10,000 acres of Monroe County by Bloomington Mayor John Hamilton, believe they have the support to cancel the process in at least 6 of the 7 proposed zones. CRAA, led by President, Margaret Clements hosted a ‘Remonstration Closure Event’ at the Monroe County Courthouse on Thursday evening, 90 days after the City of Bloomington filed official notice of intent to annex 8 separate zones. Bloomington withdrew their request for one of those zones, leaving 7.
In order to contest the annexation, 51% of property owner signatures were required, and in order to cancel the annexation, 65% of the property owners needed to sign. Although the reported numbers to date are not official, CRAA has announced that 6 of the 7 proposed zones will be cancelled, and the 7th zone has at least enough to contest, if it falls short of the amount needed to cancel.
Below are the numbers which the organization believes to have accomplished, by zone:
- Zone 1A: 1092 obtained / 962 required
- Zone 1B: 1196 obtained* / 1367 required
- Zone 1C: 92 obtained / 69 required
- Zone 2: 1069 obtained / 864 required
- Zone 3: 76 obtained / 66 required
- Zone 4: 66 obtained / 60 required
- Zone 5: 62 obtained / 60 required
*there are additional uncounted signatures from Zone 1B
Jacinda Townsend Gides resigns from MCCSC Board
Jacinda Townsend Gides, the School Board Member from MCCSC District 6 has resigned from her position. Gides was first appointed to the Board, but elected later in calendar year 2020 until 2024. The vacancy will be appointed by the remaining Board Members within the next 30 days. If the Board fails to appoint a new Member, the responsibility will fall to the Monroe County Circuit Courts to make the appointment. The next MCCSC School Board meeting is scheduled for 6pm on Tuesday, January 25th.
New Owners at Bloomington Brewing Company
The Bloomington Brewing Company, founded by Jeff Mease and Lennie Busch in 1994 welcomes new owners this week, Amanda and Jarrod Franklin of Bloomington. The brewery claims to be the first craft brewery to open in Southern Indiana, and the 3rd oldest craft brewery in Indiana. Mease and Busch began considering new owners about 6 months ago, and they feel lucky to have connected with the Franklins.
“We’re excited for a new era for the Bloomington Brewing Company,” said Mease. “Lennie and I have operated BBC for more than 27 years now, and it’s been a good run. We’ve built a lot of brand equity, created a lot of friendships in the pub, and made a lot of great beer, he added”
The Franklins plan to continue to produce the flavors of BBC beer that have gained popularity through the years, maintaining the BBC name and the beers Bloomingtonians know and love.
This Week in Hoosier History
1927 – John Wesley Hardrick, an artist from Indianapolis, was awarded the prestigious Harmon Foundation Bronze Medal. As a teen, he had studied with Otto Stark at Manual High School. He attended the Herron School of Art, working with William Forsyth. His work was exhibited at the Tanner Galleries in Chicago and the Indianapolis Museum of Art.
For more local news . . .
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